Woman hit, killed on I-40

February 9, 2010 9:00:00 PM PST

DURHAM --

Durham police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash on Interstate 40 east near exit 276.

Officers were dispatched to a report of a deer in the road around 6:18 a.m. on I-40 East between the N.C. 751 and Fayetteville Road exits. When they arrived, they discovered a body of a woman on the interstate.

Police say the victim has not been positively identified at this time.

Investigators say they believe the woman was driving a Toyota in the far right eastbound lane of I-40 when she struck the side/tire of a tractor-trailer in the next lane.

The impact caused the Toyota to go off the right side of the highway, hit a guardrail and stop on the shoulder.

Investigators believe the driver of the Toyota then got out of her vehicle and walked into the middle of I-40 East where she was struck by multiple vehicles. The first vehicle that hit her did not remain at the scene.